“After an extensive and thorough search, we're proud to welcome Byron back to the Lakers family as our next head coach,” said (GM Mitch) Kupchak. “Byron has proven himself at the highest levels of the game as both a player and a coach in his almost 30 years of NBA experience. His leadership skills and track record for success make him the ideal person to lead this franchise forward.”

“I am ecstatic to once again be a Laker and to have the opportunity to work alongside Mitch and the Buss family,” said Scott. “I know firsthand what it takes to bring a championship to this city, and as someone who both grew up in L.A. and played the majority of my career here, I know how passionate and dedicated our fans are. I will give everything I have to fulfill the championship expectations that our supporters have for us, and that we have for ourselves.”

“It feels fantastic,” said Scott to Hill. “This is a dream come true. I always wanted to coach the Lakers, especially when I got to coaching. It's so unreal. I have to thank Mitch, Jeanie and Jim Buss to give me this opportunity.”

Scott's last stint as a head coach, three seasons with the Cleveland Cavaliers after LeBron James' departure, saw his team go 64-166. Those Cleveland teams were horrendous on defense, despite the fact he sees himself as a demanding defensive coach. With this Lakers roster, he'll probably be in for similar struggles on that end.

There is some talent in Los Angeles, but it'll be a challenge for Scott to make the pieces fit. With the Western Conference as strong as it is, he's signing up for at least one extremely difficult season. The Lakers will try to land another star next summer, and if that fails, they'll have all the cap space in the world in 2016 when Bryant's mammoth contract expires.

Bryant wants to be as competitive as possible in between now and then, though, and that's why Scott has such a tough task. This might be his dream job, but with an aging superstar and a pile of one-way players, this is no coach's dream situation.